Instrumentation and Methodological Issues in the Assessment o f Sexual Arousal

The penile plethysmograph is not a sexual lie detector. Used properly, the penile plethysmograph can provide an accurate determination o f the sexual interest and arousal patterns o f offenders and nonoffenders. This valuable information greatly enhances the fair disposition and the effective treatment o f offenders. In some cases, plethysmograph data provide the only accurate method o f insight to the offender’s disorder.